More than 1,000 horses at Oceanport?s Monmouth Park are stabled under quarantine for fear of an equine herpes virus (EHV-1) outbreak.
State veterinarian Dr. Nancy Halpern says she?s awaiting official confirmation on the number of horses infected with the potentially fatal neurological disease. Park officials say the problem started when two horses were brought in from Canada. Since then, about 16 animals have had fevers, though only five currently have symptoms. Humans cannot catch this strain of the virus, but veterinarians say humans can spread it to other horses. The contagious virus is contracted through air, manure and other ways.
Owners who house their race horses at the park say they are taking a major financial loss because their animals can?t leave the stable to compete. One owner fears his horse won?t be able to race until the end of November.